Wednesday, July 15, 2015

8 Basic Errors Muslims make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr

Presented by: Sister Sara

8 Basic Errors Muslims make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr

By Muhammad Alshareef

May Allah forgive me for any errors I might make in writing this article, but because it's Zakah Al-Fitr time, the time is NOW to get this info into your hands. And to forward to other Muslims so they can do their Ibadah correctly.


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8 Basic Errors Muslims make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr
By Muhammad Alshareef
I feel compelled to put this together because I’ve seen the following errors being committed even since I was a young boy. In sha Allah, you can help me spread the word by sharing this article with your community, friends and family.


What is Zakat ul-Fitr?  Think “Iftar”, Zakat Ul-Fitr is the charity that we pay at the end of Ramadan.
Here is the foundational hadith that establishes the obligation of Zakat ul-Fitr:


Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or one Saa` of barley.


[Sahih Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]


To understand Zakat ul-Fitr, here is a good summary of it:


But unfortunately, our community makes some basic errors in the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr that must be clarified.


Error One: Paying at Eid Salah


Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat  ul-Fitr.
No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the  hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer.
If someone goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr.
May Allah forgive us.


Error Two: Snail mailing the money overseas


Basic principle as before: the Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid prayer is over.


However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then in sha Allah it’s alright.


Error Three: Not paying
Yes, as simple as this error is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.


Error Four: Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money – and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.


Error Five: Giving money instead of food
Although some scholars have allowed giving money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money.


The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, radi Allahu 'anhu, said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese".
[Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]


Error Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid, or Islamic school.  There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid.
All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.


Error Seven: Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.


Error Eight: Delaying distribution
Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.


These are my eight. You are welcome to share other common


In sha Allah, if you have Zakah questions, I encourage you to seek counsel from your local sources of knowledge. People you can speak to directly.


With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!


- Muhammad Alshareef
p.s. I've got an exciting announcement to make tomorrow so stay tuned and be sure to check your inbox tomorrow for an email from me.
p.p.s. if you got this email from a friend (may Allah reward you both for sharing and gaining knowledge!), you can sign up to get the emails yourself here.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Halaqa # 32

Ramadan 27,  1436
Approaching 'Eid


Year 2
Attendance:
  • 4  Sisters
  • 2  Junior Sisters
  • 2  Junior Guests
Location:  Headquarters (due to rain)
Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)


  • OPENING DUA
O Allah, bless this Halaqa, allow us to gain, act upon  and share beneficial knowledge. 
Guide us, forgive our sins and grant us Jannah with our families and loved ones. 
Ameen


  • QURAN RECITATION
We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a
few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and
encouragement of her fellow sisters). We read  Surah An-Nissa  from Ayat 66  
till Ayat 79 . In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our Halaqa and one day
in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.


  • SISTERS TALK

Sister Sara read aloud an email she received titled:

By Muhammad Alshareef
Click on the title to read the email.


  • INTRODUCING OUR “YOUTUBE” CHANNEL


Amanah Sisters now have a Youtube channel where in sha Allah, we are sharing videos 
from our Halaqas. We do not currently have any of our own videos but we do have 
a few playlists online. Insha Allah, we will be adding to these playlists and creating 
more as the need arises. To view these playlists, you can click on the link on the right 
hand side of the Halaqa Blog under Amanah Sisters, or click here.


41 videos
Halaqa choices
2 videos
Learn Arabic
6 videos
Asma ul Husna Allah's Beautiful Names
5 videos
Ramadan
4 videos
Dua
1 video
Ablution
4 videos
Children


  • LEARN A  DUA

Since there are still a few nights left in Ramadan, we choose to review the following Dua:


Night of Qadr, (originally presented Halaqa #8)


Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said:


اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
      Allahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni’


O Allah You are The One Who forgives greatly, and loves to forgive, so forgive me. [at Tirmidhi]


Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3850
In-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 24
English translation : Vol. 5, Book 34, Hadith 3850


  • SISTER’S TALK
Taken from Halaqa #9
Sister Sara read aloud an article called “Ramadan my dear guest, I’m sorry”  To read this article, click here.


  • EID PARTY/PICNIC REMINDER
Amanah Sisters have started prepping for our upcoming Eid Celebration.  In sha Allah, it will 
be held on Sunday July 19th, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Promanade Park, Douglas Kennedy 
Headland Section.  
Eid Party Prep.JPG
There are still a few days to RSVP in sha Allah.


  • NEXT HALAQA


In sha Allah, our next Halaqa will be held on Wednesday August 5th, 2015 outdoors at the Celebration Square in front of the Mississauga Library from 10 am-12 noon.. Sisters and children are encouraged to attend.  


  • SISTERS TALK

Ramadan Concludes..What happens now?

Click the title to read the article written by Sister Aisha Stacey
Published on 29 Sep 2008 - Last modified on 05 Aug 2012
  • VISITING THE SICK
Last year on Nov 27th, 2014, a few members of Amanah Sisters visited a sister at Farooq 
Masjid who was dealing with recurrent cancer. We have learned recently that the sister has 
returned to Allah.  We ask Allah, the Most Merciful, to have mercy on her soul and grant 
her entrance into Paradise 
Ameen.


  • VIDEO
We enjoyed watching the following video:


  • CLOSING DUA
For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering
To listen to this dua click here


196 - "How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness that None 
has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn 
to You in repentance."


سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك
Subhânaka l-lâhumma wa bi-hamdika. Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illâ
anta, astaghfiruka wa atûbu ilayka.


If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.  
If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.